Why Sourdough Bread Is Good for You: 6 Health Benefits of Sourdough Bread

May 2024 · 6 minute read

I’m a dietitian, and sourdough is one of my favorite breads! I love a good slice of sourdough toast with smashed avocado and veggies. 

When it comes to healthier bread choices, sourdough is a popular option for several reasons. Not only does it have a delicious sour flavor and unique texture, but it’s also incredibly easy to make your own sourdough loaf at home. 

Sourdough relies on a mix of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria to leaven the dough instead of baker’s yeast. It has more nutrients, is less likely to spike your blood sugar, contains less gluten than other breads, and is easier to digest for most people.

If you live with diabetes or are trying to be more mindful of your blood sugar levels, sourdough bread is a great alternative to other types of bread because of its slow impact on blood sugar levels, unlike other traditional breads.

Let’s go beyond the fact that sourdough is delicious and discuss the benefits of eating sourdough bread for healthy blood sugar levels and overall health. Maybe sourdough will become your new favorite bread, too.

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What Exactly Is Sourdough Bread?

Sourdough bread has a rich history dating back centuries. Its tangy flavor and chewy texture originate from ancient bread-making techniques that gained popularity for its natural fermentation process. 

This traditional method uses wild yeast and bacteria from the environment to leaven the bread. Sourdough's unique character stems from its reliance on a naturally occurring sourdough starter, a mixture of flour and water inhabited by wild yeast and lactobacillus bacteria. This symbiotic relationship between yeast and bacteria results in the fermentation of the dough, giving it its signature sour flavor. 

Preparing sourdough requires a slow fermentation process, typically requiring a longer rise time than conventional bread recipes. This extended fermentation not only contributes to the distinctive taste but also allows for the rich nutritional profile and digestibility of the bread.

<p class="pro-tip"><strong>Learn More: </strong><a href="is-cornbread-healthy">Is Cornbread a Healthy Choice? A Closer Look</a>.</p>

Sourdough Bread: A Nutrient Breakdown

Sourdough offers more than just unique and enjoyable flavors. It's a nutrient powerhouse that goes well within a wholesome diet. In every slice of sourdough bread, you’ll provide your body with: 

You can see that sourdough bread is not just a delightful indulgence but a nutritious addition to your daily routine

Health Benefits of Sourdough Bread

Many health benefits come along with choosing sourdough bread over the myriad of other bread choices.  Here are just a few of the reasons you may want to consider adding sourdough bread to your diet.

Learn How to Improve Your Nutrition and Monitor Your Glycemic Index Levels with Signos’ Expert Advice

Understanding how different foods impact blood sugar can help improve overall health and well-being. Knowing the glycemic index of foods, you can make informed decisions about what foods to eat and how much to manage blood sugar and support your health. 

Signos CGM empowers you to improve your health by keeping track of your diet, exercise, sleep habits, and blood sugar. Knowledge is power, and a CGM can give you specific information about how your habits affect your health. 

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<p class="pro-tip"><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="best-breads-to-minimize-blood-sugar-spikes">Best Breads to Minimize Blood Sugar Spikes</a>.</p>

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